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The Other Couple
It was supposed to be a nice family weekend. If only it had been.
When new parents Lainey and David arrive at their rental cabin late at night, they’re surprised to find another couple already there. Looks like they’ve been double-booked…right?
As the weekend progresses and the house's dark past comes to light, the pair begin to wonder if it was coincidence at all.
Another young family had lived there prior.They had a young son, too. All of them vanished.
Then Lainey discovers a journal, and what it reveals about the past moves her from wondering to flat-out worry.
Isolated deep in the forest, Lainey and David will need to tread very carefully with the other couple if they want to survive the weekend.
Fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin will love this twist-filled psychological thriller that will have you turning pages late into the night.
When new parents Lainey and David arrive at their rental cabin late at night, they’re surprised to find another couple already there. Looks like they’ve been double-booked…right?
As the weekend progresses and the house's dark past comes to light, the pair begin to wonder if it was coincidence at all.
Another young family had lived there prior.They had a young son, too. All of them vanished.
Then Lainey discovers a journal, and what it reveals about the past moves her from wondering to flat-out worry.
Isolated deep in the forest, Lainey and David will need to tread very carefully with the other couple if they want to survive the weekend.
Fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin will love this twist-filled psychological thriller that will have you turning pages late into the night.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
407 people are currently reading
1485 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
April 3, 2025
The story flew by, which isn’t something I usually mind, though it still felt like it took forever for me to actually care about what was happening. I kept waiting for that moment when I’d be fully hooked, yet it never quite came. I will say, however, things got kind of interesting around the 80% mark, but by then, I was already over it. My boredom had set in, so at least the last 15% was more engaging.
With so few characters, it was easy to keep track of everyone—which I appreciated. Still, a pov from the fmc’s husband or the other couple might have added more depth, especially given the twists in the story. Seeing things unfold from another perspective could have heightened the tension or made the twists land more effectively.
While I enjoyed the premise, I kept waiting for a bigger moment—a twist that never quite arrived. When it did finally come, it wasn’t all that shocking. I didn’t mind the twist itself; I just think it could have been great if it had been executed better.
On top of that, there were plot holes and moments that didn’t make sense, which left me frustrated. The characters’ intentions felt murky, making it hard to connect with any of them. Honestly, they were all irritating in their own way. The buildup was there, but the payoff fell flat, leaving me wanting more from the ending.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💌💐
With so few characters, it was easy to keep track of everyone—which I appreciated. Still, a pov from the fmc’s husband or the other couple might have added more depth, especially given the twists in the story. Seeing things unfold from another perspective could have heightened the tension or made the twists land more effectively.
While I enjoyed the premise, I kept waiting for a bigger moment—a twist that never quite arrived. When it did finally come, it wasn’t all that shocking. I didn’t mind the twist itself; I just think it could have been great if it had been executed better.
On top of that, there were plot holes and moments that didn’t make sense, which left me frustrated. The characters’ intentions felt murky, making it hard to connect with any of them. Honestly, they were all irritating in their own way. The buildup was there, but the payoff fell flat, leaving me wanting more from the ending.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💌💐
March 15, 2025
THE OTHER COUPLE BY JACK DANE.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s once again.
Release date set for the 28th of March 2025.
Well this was an edge of your seat read.
It's fast paced and no messing about.
Let's not go there about the twists 🤯.
It gripped me from the very start and I thought it was brilliant. I read long into the night so I'm a tired mama today.
This is my 3rd book and 3rd ARC I've read by this author. I'll continue to read all of his work.
Just brilliant.
Well done and congratulations Jack on another amazing book
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s once again.
Release date set for the 28th of March 2025.
Well this was an edge of your seat read.
It's fast paced and no messing about.
Let's not go there about the twists 🤯.
It gripped me from the very start and I thought it was brilliant. I read long into the night so I'm a tired mama today.
This is my 3rd book and 3rd ARC I've read by this author. I'll continue to read all of his work.
Just brilliant.
Well done and congratulations Jack on another amazing book
March 12, 2025
Wow! David and Lainey are trapped in a double booked cabin with Kyle and Heather during a storm. What can possibly go wrong?
With Heather developing a strange interest in baby Jonah, and Kyle controlling everything, fear escalates.
Jack Dane has illustrated the claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly, racking up the tension and making every action a potential threat.
Each character is well fleshed out , and the plot is fast paced, with David and Lainey's parental anxieties escalating with Kyle and Heather's unnerving behaviour.
The suspense is masterfully weaved and I could not put this one down. I raced through it, devouring it in one sitting.
As for the ending - well, it came out of nowhere and smacked me in the face. Utterly brilliant.
A strong 5 ⭐ from me and my thanks to the author for the opportunity to review his work.
With Heather developing a strange interest in baby Jonah, and Kyle controlling everything, fear escalates.
Jack Dane has illustrated the claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly, racking up the tension and making every action a potential threat.
Each character is well fleshed out , and the plot is fast paced, with David and Lainey's parental anxieties escalating with Kyle and Heather's unnerving behaviour.
The suspense is masterfully weaved and I could not put this one down. I raced through it, devouring it in one sitting.
As for the ending - well, it came out of nowhere and smacked me in the face. Utterly brilliant.
A strong 5 ⭐ from me and my thanks to the author for the opportunity to review his work.
March 30, 2025
3 star read, but I had to know what happened next!
*spoilers*
Pro:
- I love that it’s a spin on “the narrator did the crime” but not really what I expected. Yes, the main character and her husband did the crime, but it had a little twist. How Lainey and her husband David are “the other couple” but actually feared being in this house with 2 other people because they seemed more dangerous than them.
Con:
The reason why I am giving it 3 stars is because I’m not a huge fan of the person telling the story doing the crime. How is it that throughout the book, Lainey didn’t think once “I hope they don’t find out my secret” ?? And when she was talking about the baby book, she was worried that it was Kyle and Heathers… she didn’t have a single inner thought that it was actually hers? It seems like she snuck into their room and read it acting like she’s not the one that WROTE it. Just a little confusing to me.
This is a good, quick, fast paced novel. I’d read more by this author, but it’s not high on my reading list.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC of The Other Couple in exchange for my honest review!
*spoilers*
Pro:
- I love that it’s a spin on “the narrator did the crime” but not really what I expected. Yes, the main character and her husband did the crime, but it had a little twist. How Lainey and her husband David are “the other couple” but actually feared being in this house with 2 other people because they seemed more dangerous than them.
Con:
The reason why I am giving it 3 stars is because I’m not a huge fan of the person telling the story doing the crime. How is it that throughout the book, Lainey didn’t think once “I hope they don’t find out my secret” ?? And when she was talking about the baby book, she was worried that it was Kyle and Heathers… she didn’t have a single inner thought that it was actually hers? It seems like she snuck into their room and read it acting like she’s not the one that WROTE it. Just a little confusing to me.
This is a good, quick, fast paced novel. I’d read more by this author, but it’s not high on my reading list.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC of The Other Couple in exchange for my honest review!
April 13, 2025
A short, mysterious thriller centered around two couples who have accidentally double-booked the same cabin getaway deep in the woods. Their strained attempts to make the best of an awkward situation is made worse when the cabin’s dark and disturbing history is revealed. Was it truly a coincidence that brought these four together, or is something more sinister afoot?
Great concept for a story and I enjoyed the short length with only four characters total to keep track of. The tension remained high throughout, and the suspense kept me on edge. The paranoia and fear that our main character Lainey experienced came through strongly. One of the biggest downsides, however, is that we only ever see things from her perspective. With a short cast of only a few characters, it felt like major missed opportunity not to explore the thoughts or motives of the others.
There were some pretty distracting plot holes and a few things that had me scratching my head, all of which lack context and go largely unaddressed. While the big reveal didn’t surprise me, a few of the smaller plot points did pique my interest and keep me reading.
Overall, this book is fine for what it is. It's certainly not a masterpiece, but it’s a easy, quick read for anyone looking to kick back and enjoy. A solid attempt at a compelling story, and with a bit of polish and some additional depth to the story-telling, this could have been even better.
Great concept for a story and I enjoyed the short length with only four characters total to keep track of. The tension remained high throughout, and the suspense kept me on edge. The paranoia and fear that our main character Lainey experienced came through strongly. One of the biggest downsides, however, is that we only ever see things from her perspective. With a short cast of only a few characters, it felt like major missed opportunity not to explore the thoughts or motives of the others.
There were some pretty distracting plot holes and a few things that had me scratching my head, all of which lack context and go largely unaddressed. While the big reveal didn’t surprise me, a few of the smaller plot points did pique my interest and keep me reading.
Overall, this book is fine for what it is. It's certainly not a masterpiece, but it’s a easy, quick read for anyone looking to kick back and enjoy. A solid attempt at a compelling story, and with a bit of polish and some additional depth to the story-telling, this could have been even better.
March 17, 2025
This had me hooked from page one. What starts as a seemingly innocent getaway for two couples quickly spirals into something far darker. Secrets simmer beneath the surface, tensions build, and there’s this constant, creeping sense that something isn’t quite right. You can feel it lurking just out of sight and that eerie atmosphere never lets up. The twists are perfectly timed, the characters layered with just enough suspicion, and the dread? Unrelenting. It’s the kind of story that burrows under your skin and keeps you wide awake, questioning everything. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense with a chilling edge.
April 13, 2025
5 Stars – ARC Review
“The Other Couple” by Jack Dane
I got an ARC of The Other Couple and read it in under 24 hours. It’s a fast-paced, suspense-heavy thriller that had me fully locked in from the start.
The tension builds quick, and just when I thought I had it figured out—boom. That plot twist completely threw me off. Like, I had to pause and just sit with it for a second.
If you’re into domestic thrillers that mess with your head and keep you second-guessing everything, you’ll fly through this one. It’s sharp, addictive, and totally worth the read. Five stars.
“The Other Couple” by Jack Dane
I got an ARC of The Other Couple and read it in under 24 hours. It’s a fast-paced, suspense-heavy thriller that had me fully locked in from the start.
The tension builds quick, and just when I thought I had it figured out—boom. That plot twist completely threw me off. Like, I had to pause and just sit with it for a second.
If you’re into domestic thrillers that mess with your head and keep you second-guessing everything, you’ll fly through this one. It’s sharp, addictive, and totally worth the read. Five stars.
March 12, 2025
I was left guessing till the very end. There were twists and turns and left you questioning everything. I was left in the edge of my seat and could not put this book down. It was dark and twisted and everything a thriller should be!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2025
What a twist!! 🤯
This story line had me making all sorts of assumptions but I was wrong with them all.
Definitely one of my top reads so far for 2025 🌟
This story line had me making all sorts of assumptions but I was wrong with them all.
Definitely one of my top reads so far for 2025 🌟
March 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released March 28, 2025.
Back in February I read His First Wife by Jack Dane and I loved it and was HOOKED on the plot and writing style. So when I saw his new upcoming book, The Other Couple, I was very excited to read it. I loved this one and I will definitely be reading more of his books in the future.
WHEW, boy this one had me GRIPPED from start to finish!! I read it in one sitting! The tension and atmosphere in The Other Couple is extremely well done. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. I really don’t want to give anything away about it. I absolutely loved this twisty, fast-paced, kinda creepy thriller! It’s a new favorite for me.
I definitely recommend this one to all thriller fans, it’s a quick thrill ride that doesn’t disappoint!!
Back in February I read His First Wife by Jack Dane and I loved it and was HOOKED on the plot and writing style. So when I saw his new upcoming book, The Other Couple, I was very excited to read it. I loved this one and I will definitely be reading more of his books in the future.
WHEW, boy this one had me GRIPPED from start to finish!! I read it in one sitting! The tension and atmosphere in The Other Couple is extremely well done. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. I really don’t want to give anything away about it. I absolutely loved this twisty, fast-paced, kinda creepy thriller! It’s a new favorite for me.
I definitely recommend this one to all thriller fans, it’s a quick thrill ride that doesn’t disappoint!!
March 28, 2025
Lainey and David just wanted a nice weekend away, a first vacation as new parents with their baby Jonah. Upon arrival during a storm, they realize that the cabin has been double booked. Another couple is there, Heather and Kyle. They are there making a documentary about a family that used to live there, but that family disappeared never to be seen again. As the weekend progresses, Lainey and David need to be careful, they learn things that kind of freak them out. With no phone service and the power out, they are at the mercy of the storm, and the other couple, to make it out alive.
This is the second book that I have read by this author and it just solidifies for me that I’m a reader for life! Dane has such a way of creating an eerie, creepy atmosphere. The book is full of suspense. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. There is not a moment that is dull in this book.
The twist at the end of the book threw me for a loop. I couldn’t believe what I was reading! Dane is so skillful at writing thrillers. Literally blew me away with this book, just as he did with the last book that I read. I cannot wait to read his next book, whenever that may be. So thriller readers, if you haven’t checked out this author yet, you need to do so now! You won’t be disappointed!
This is the second book that I have read by this author and it just solidifies for me that I’m a reader for life! Dane has such a way of creating an eerie, creepy atmosphere. The book is full of suspense. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. There is not a moment that is dull in this book.
The twist at the end of the book threw me for a loop. I couldn’t believe what I was reading! Dane is so skillful at writing thrillers. Literally blew me away with this book, just as he did with the last book that I read. I cannot wait to read his next book, whenever that may be. So thriller readers, if you haven’t checked out this author yet, you need to do so now! You won’t be disappointed!
March 29, 2025
The Other Couple by Jack Dane is a tense, fast-paced thriller that will have you second guessing up until the very last page.
When Lainey and David decide to get out of New York City for a relaxing weekend, they choose a cabin out in the woods five hours away from home. Traveling with their young son Jonah they make the drive out to the cabin in an increasingly dangerous storm. Relieved to finally get to their destination, they are shocked to find that there is already another couple staying there. It looks like the cabin has been double booked. Instead of trying to brave the elements Lainey and David make the decision to stay overnight with this couple and figure out everything in the morning. But trapped in the isolated cabin, the couple start to learn all about the cabins dark secrets, and what really happened to the family that previously lived there.
Another great read from Jack Dane! I love the way that Dane slowly builds up the tension and suspense throughout so that by the shocking twist at the end the reader will be on the edge of their seat. Very immersive setting and definitely a great plot really make this an absolutely gripping psychological thriller. I highly recommend!!
Thank you to Jack Dane for this ARC. Release day is March 28th 2025.
When Lainey and David decide to get out of New York City for a relaxing weekend, they choose a cabin out in the woods five hours away from home. Traveling with their young son Jonah they make the drive out to the cabin in an increasingly dangerous storm. Relieved to finally get to their destination, they are shocked to find that there is already another couple staying there. It looks like the cabin has been double booked. Instead of trying to brave the elements Lainey and David make the decision to stay overnight with this couple and figure out everything in the morning. But trapped in the isolated cabin, the couple start to learn all about the cabins dark secrets, and what really happened to the family that previously lived there.
Another great read from Jack Dane! I love the way that Dane slowly builds up the tension and suspense throughout so that by the shocking twist at the end the reader will be on the edge of their seat. Very immersive setting and definitely a great plot really make this an absolutely gripping psychological thriller. I highly recommend!!
Thank you to Jack Dane for this ARC. Release day is March 28th 2025.
March 24, 2025
The Other Couple
by Jack Dane
Release date: March 28th
4.5/5⭐️s
Lainey and David thought they were in for a peaceful family getaway—cozy cabin, fresh air, maybe some questionable hiking decisions. What they got instead? A double-booking nightmare that made overbooked flights look like a minor inconvenience.
Because when they stumble into their rental cabin late at night, another couple is already there. And let’s just say, these aren’t the friendly, oops-our-bad type of guests. As the weekend unfolds, unsettling discoveries pile up like a bad Yelp review—whispers of a dark past, a missing family, and a found journal that suggests coincidence might not be the right word for what’s happening here.
Jack Dane masterfully cranks up the tension, making every creak of the cabin feel like a potential death omen. The isolation is suffocating, the “other couple” is as unnerving as an unsolicited knock at the door after midnight, and the twists? Let’s just say, you will not see them coming.
Fans of gripping psychological thrillers, you’re going to devour this. But maybe don’t read it while staying in a remote cabin. Or if you do—double-check that booking. And maybe leave the lights on.
March 29, 2025
Jack Dane has once again written a psychological thriller that makes you think you know exactly what the premise is when you don’t!! And the compassion and concern you feel for characters is totally misguided. When you think you know the storyline, Mr Dane switches it up. I highly recommend this book and all of Jack Dane’s novels!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2025
This is my second book by Jack Dane, and he did not disappoint. It is a story with lots of twists and turns and always an unexpected big twist at the end. Could not put it down and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to Book Sirens for an advanced copy to read for leaving a voluntary honest response.
Thank you to Book Sirens for an advanced copy to read for leaving a voluntary honest response.
April 9, 2025
This was so good & fast paced. Couldn’t put it down- will be reading more by this author!
April 21, 2025
3.5 stars
August 24, 2025
The scenery in this book really added to the plot and the suspense. The end was not expected at all, just how I like.
September 18, 2025
My first jack dane book! Definitely not my last! The book started off slow but then took a turn and blasted through it! 5⭐️
March 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from the author, Jack Dane.
WOW!! This was another great read!! This was a fast paced book that kept me guessing until the very end. All of the things you want in a thriller. I started this last night and could not wait to finish it today.
This is the 3rd book I've read by Jack (all 4 ⭐ too). I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to read more.
The book comes out March 28, 2025. Give it a read!
WOW!! This was another great read!! This was a fast paced book that kept me guessing until the very end. All of the things you want in a thriller. I started this last night and could not wait to finish it today.
This is the 3rd book I've read by Jack (all 4 ⭐ too). I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to read more.
The book comes out March 28, 2025. Give it a read!
April 4, 2025
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. As I was reading this book, I kept feeling like I read this one before so there must be one similar to it. This book was definitely fast paced and had twists but I just wasn't thrilled with the ending. It just took the book into such a different direction that it left me feeling really disappointed in it.
April 4, 2025
Well. I did NOT see that ending coming.
3.75 holy moly stars!
3.75 holy moly stars!
March 17, 2025
Jack Dane does it again!!! A new fear was unlocked for me!! The plot was one I hadn't encountered yet, and I really liked the trail of events. The characters were nicely developed, and the atmosphere was constantly eerie, keeping me turning the pages. There were a couple of things that I found a bit unclear, but I must've missed something while reading it. This is a great heart-pounding, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat kind of story, full of twists and turns, with an ending I didn't see coming. I have to admit, I thought for sure it was a case of The Others (movie) until the very end!
Huge thanks to the author and BookSirens for providing me with a copy for an honest review.
Huge thanks to the author and BookSirens for providing me with a copy for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
Calling all Frieda McFadden fans, you’ll love this story! Truly felt like I was watching a horror movie with its fast pace.
The other couple is about a couple going on vacation to a remote place, only to find they have been double booked and can’t leave due to a storm.
The characters Kyle and Heather really knew how to get under reader’s skin. Also the story is truly terrifying reading this as a parent.
The twists were surprising but I felt like there were major plot holes which made the ending not plausible.
The intentions of each character were a little murky. Why were Kyle and Heather staying there? Did David and Lainey know it was going to be double booked? So many questions.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
The other couple is about a couple going on vacation to a remote place, only to find they have been double booked and can’t leave due to a storm.
The characters Kyle and Heather really knew how to get under reader’s skin. Also the story is truly terrifying reading this as a parent.
The twists were surprising but I felt like there were major plot holes which made the ending not plausible.
The intentions of each character were a little murky. Why were Kyle and Heather staying there? Did David and Lainey know it was going to be double booked? So many questions.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 15, 2025
The Other Couple is a twisty, can’t put down Thriller that is about a couple trying to take a weekend getaway with their baby. They find that there is already a couple staying at the cabin.
This book kept me guessing until the end. It reads like a Frieda McFadden book. So fans of Frieda McFadden rejoice!
I loved it and will look into other works by this author.
I received The Other Couple as an ARC through NetGalley and my opinions on the book are my own
This book kept me guessing until the end. It reads like a Frieda McFadden book. So fans of Frieda McFadden rejoice!
I loved it and will look into other works by this author.
I received The Other Couple as an ARC through NetGalley and my opinions on the book are my own
March 21, 2025
This was a great read about a couple with a baby having to share a rental with a strange couple. Instantly I felt uneasy with the comments from the other couple, I felt there was a lot of suspense and a good few twists! It was a good quick read with a solid ending. If you like Kiersten Modglin, Daniel Hurst or Frieda McFadden you will love this authors writing style too.
April 16, 2025
This was one of the absolute worst books I have ever read. If I had to choose between being in a saw movie or reading this book again, I would choose Saw. The writing was so juvenile with barely any actual story. It felt like reading the same paragraph over and over again. I think this might have been secretly written by a 5 year old. How this averaged out 4 stars is beyond anything I can comprehend. None of the characters were relatable, quite the opposite they were ALL irritating and had really no personality besides being dumb. At about 80% through finally something happened, and there was a little twist, which was so predictable and lame. Very anticlimactic. I've read two other books by him. The one sucked as well and the other one was semi decent so I decided to give him another chance. I would've DNF except I have a hard time doing that after I put effort into books. I'll definitely never read another one of his books again. Dont waste your time
April 25, 2025
3/5
Publication date: 28th March 2025!
One family shacking up with a shady couple in a house with no power during a severe storm, cue creepy. There is nothing like a family get away gone wrong to put you on edge. This one had suspense and kept me guessing until the end. I had a few questions with the wrap up but overall a fast eerie read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy 😄
Publication date: 28th March 2025!
One family shacking up with a shady couple in a house with no power during a severe storm, cue creepy. There is nothing like a family get away gone wrong to put you on edge. This one had suspense and kept me guessing until the end. I had a few questions with the wrap up but overall a fast eerie read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy 😄
October 7, 2025
4 stars!
This book starts off describing a couple named David and Lainey. They leave their home for the first time in a year with their one year-old son named Jonah from Manhattan and are going on a 5 hour road trip to stay at a remote cabin in the woods. Naturally it’s storming and they barely make it to the cabin unscathed from a falling tree in the roadway. When they get to the house, there is already a couple named Kyle and Heather there. Apparently they were double booked.
Kyle makes weird comments about how breast-feeding is best for the baby. I guess him and Heather are trying to make a film about the supernatural as apparently there was a family with a young child who lived in the house that just disappeared. One day in the house is known to be haunted.
I guess also Jonah was adopted and they make a weird comment about them not being his real parents. Also Kyle has a gun which makes them uncomfortable. Strange things happening in the house. When Laney is there alone with Jonah, the door to the bedroom opens when she is in the shower and she hears downstairs and the slider is opening and closing itself with the wind. Kyle and Heather do tell her that put a camera in the bedroom so David climbs up on the dresser to try and get the camera down and break the dresser. Inside the dresser is a baby journal/book that apparently the former homeowners are writing in. When Lanie alone she decides to go through this and find out that there was another couple living with this family when they moved into the house.
Lainey, David, and Kyle decide to search the house for more evidence of the couple who went missing. Kyle doesn’t appear to be making a real effort and Heather is still somewhere in the woods. Eventually, she comes back from the woods soaked and scared and Kyle is smiling when she is telling her story about how it took her a few hours to get back. Something seems fishy. David then finally gives them a key to their bedroom. They find another camera that the couple had hidden in the house. Heather says that the drone was fully charged and up in the air and all of a sudden went black and went missing. She wasn’t able to find it.
Lainey starts to notice a gap in between Heather and David. It seems David always wants things to go his way. He seems to be in charge of Heather. Soon, Lainey sneaks her way into the room and reads more of the journal which essentially states that the couple that they were living with was strange.
After trying to escape to find their way out of the woods, not believing Kyle actually called for help and a tree company, and being caught in the woods by Kyle, they are forced to be actors in their documentary. The whole time- Kyle doesn’t want to let them go because he thinks they’re trying to call the cops about his warrant- and Lainey and David think that Kyle is trying to kill them.
Lainey and David tried to leave in the middle of the night. They find Heather in her car blocking their way out. She forces them back inside. I guess she thinks that they are the original couple that went missing from the house that had plastic surgery surgery as their son Jonah looks like the baby. There is obviously a divide between Heather and Kyle at this point-he realizes Heather is the crazy one. Kyle locks Heather in the basement and sends Lainey, David, and Jonah upstairs to wait until the morning. Lainey and David realize that Jonas pacifier is in the car so she sends David to go get it.
After David doesn’t come back within a few minutes, she goes downstairs and sees blood on the floor. Soon Kyle comes in and assumes the worst. He sees Heather trying to escape and he shoots her. We then find out the plot twist that Lainey and David planned this. They cut David’s arm so Kyle would assume the worst. They were the other couple. They stole Jonah from his original parents. Heather was right that the kid in the photo did look like Jonah. Because he was. They came back to make sure that they were covering their tracks and found Heather and Kyle had booked the place. They likely end up shooting Kyle, even though he is going to give them his money. When they go to leave, they meet a cop at the site where the tree was down. The cop tells them that they found a car fire with two people who died just up the road. Lainey and David drive off into the sunset with Jonah.
This book starts off describing a couple named David and Lainey. They leave their home for the first time in a year with their one year-old son named Jonah from Manhattan and are going on a 5 hour road trip to stay at a remote cabin in the woods. Naturally it’s storming and they barely make it to the cabin unscathed from a falling tree in the roadway. When they get to the house, there is already a couple named Kyle and Heather there. Apparently they were double booked.
Kyle makes weird comments about how breast-feeding is best for the baby. I guess him and Heather are trying to make a film about the supernatural as apparently there was a family with a young child who lived in the house that just disappeared. One day in the house is known to be haunted.
I guess also Jonah was adopted and they make a weird comment about them not being his real parents. Also Kyle has a gun which makes them uncomfortable. Strange things happening in the house. When Laney is there alone with Jonah, the door to the bedroom opens when she is in the shower and she hears downstairs and the slider is opening and closing itself with the wind. Kyle and Heather do tell her that put a camera in the bedroom so David climbs up on the dresser to try and get the camera down and break the dresser. Inside the dresser is a baby journal/book that apparently the former homeowners are writing in. When Lanie alone she decides to go through this and find out that there was another couple living with this family when they moved into the house.
Lainey, David, and Kyle decide to search the house for more evidence of the couple who went missing. Kyle doesn’t appear to be making a real effort and Heather is still somewhere in the woods. Eventually, she comes back from the woods soaked and scared and Kyle is smiling when she is telling her story about how it took her a few hours to get back. Something seems fishy. David then finally gives them a key to their bedroom. They find another camera that the couple had hidden in the house. Heather says that the drone was fully charged and up in the air and all of a sudden went black and went missing. She wasn’t able to find it.
Lainey starts to notice a gap in between Heather and David. It seems David always wants things to go his way. He seems to be in charge of Heather. Soon, Lainey sneaks her way into the room and reads more of the journal which essentially states that the couple that they were living with was strange.
After trying to escape to find their way out of the woods, not believing Kyle actually called for help and a tree company, and being caught in the woods by Kyle, they are forced to be actors in their documentary. The whole time- Kyle doesn’t want to let them go because he thinks they’re trying to call the cops about his warrant- and Lainey and David think that Kyle is trying to kill them.
Lainey and David tried to leave in the middle of the night. They find Heather in her car blocking their way out. She forces them back inside. I guess she thinks that they are the original couple that went missing from the house that had plastic surgery surgery as their son Jonah looks like the baby. There is obviously a divide between Heather and Kyle at this point-he realizes Heather is the crazy one. Kyle locks Heather in the basement and sends Lainey, David, and Jonah upstairs to wait until the morning. Lainey and David realize that Jonas pacifier is in the car so she sends David to go get it.
After David doesn’t come back within a few minutes, she goes downstairs and sees blood on the floor. Soon Kyle comes in and assumes the worst. He sees Heather trying to escape and he shoots her. We then find out the plot twist that Lainey and David planned this. They cut David’s arm so Kyle would assume the worst. They were the other couple. They stole Jonah from his original parents. Heather was right that the kid in the photo did look like Jonah. Because he was. They came back to make sure that they were covering their tracks and found Heather and Kyle had booked the place. They likely end up shooting Kyle, even though he is going to give them his money. When they go to leave, they meet a cop at the site where the tree was down. The cop tells them that they found a car fire with two people who died just up the road. Lainey and David drive off into the sunset with Jonah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
Jack Dane’s The Other Couple delivers a nail-biting domestic thriller that plunges readers straight into the eye of a storm—literally and emotionally. With a suspenseful setup and a creeping sense of dread that builds page by page, this novel is tailor-made for fans of cabin-in-the-woods horror and psychological drama.
Lainey and David, new parents to baby Jonah, are seeking a quiet weekend escape from New York City in the form of a rustic mountain cabin. But their getaway quickly morphs into a nightmare when they arrive late at night, only to find the cabin already occupied. What appears to be a double-booking begins to look a lot more deliberate as the storm rages on, the cell service disappears, and the cabin’s unsettling history begins to surface.
Dane shines in his ability to craft tension and build atmosphere. The opening chapters, filled with storm-drenched roads, GPS dead zones, and a fussy baby, tap deeply into real-world stress before adding the unsettling twist of a stranger’s face appearing in the cabin window. The pacing is tight, keeping readers guessing without ever dragging the narrative. This isn’t just a thriller about who’s on the other side of the door—it’s also about the cracks that begin to form in a young couple’s trust, the weight of new parenthood, and how far people are willing to go to protect their family.
Lainey is a strong lead. Her anxious, honest, and often overthinking inner voice adds emotional depth to the story. The novel’s tension isn’t just physical; it’s psychological. Her intrusive thoughts and maternal instincts are both relatable and uncomfortably real, grounding the horror in human vulnerability. David, though a little less developed, still serves as a capable counterpart—equal parts steady and flawed.
While the premise is familiar—double-booked cabin, a mysterious past, a journal hinting at danger—Dane keeps it feeling fresh through brisk prose and relatable stakes. The use of weather and setting is particularly effective; the storm becomes a character in itself, boxing the family in and amplifying their isolation. This is a world where no help is coming, and the true threat might not be the storm, but the people inside the house.
Where The Other Couple falls just short of a full five stars is in its reliance on a few genre tropes that feel expected rather than subverted. Some twists, while satisfying, don’t break new ground, and secondary character development could be stronger. That said, these are minor critiques in the context of an otherwise well-constructed and engaging story.
The Other Couple is a well-paced, high-stakes thriller that’s hard to put down. It hits all the right beats for fans of domestic suspense and isolated horror, delivering a gripping ride full of paranoia, unease, and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages deep into the night. Jack Dane knows how to turn a cozy getaway into a cold-sweat-inducing trap—and you’ll love every tense minute of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lainey and David, new parents to baby Jonah, are seeking a quiet weekend escape from New York City in the form of a rustic mountain cabin. But their getaway quickly morphs into a nightmare when they arrive late at night, only to find the cabin already occupied. What appears to be a double-booking begins to look a lot more deliberate as the storm rages on, the cell service disappears, and the cabin’s unsettling history begins to surface.
Dane shines in his ability to craft tension and build atmosphere. The opening chapters, filled with storm-drenched roads, GPS dead zones, and a fussy baby, tap deeply into real-world stress before adding the unsettling twist of a stranger’s face appearing in the cabin window. The pacing is tight, keeping readers guessing without ever dragging the narrative. This isn’t just a thriller about who’s on the other side of the door—it’s also about the cracks that begin to form in a young couple’s trust, the weight of new parenthood, and how far people are willing to go to protect their family.
Lainey is a strong lead. Her anxious, honest, and often overthinking inner voice adds emotional depth to the story. The novel’s tension isn’t just physical; it’s psychological. Her intrusive thoughts and maternal instincts are both relatable and uncomfortably real, grounding the horror in human vulnerability. David, though a little less developed, still serves as a capable counterpart—equal parts steady and flawed.
While the premise is familiar—double-booked cabin, a mysterious past, a journal hinting at danger—Dane keeps it feeling fresh through brisk prose and relatable stakes. The use of weather and setting is particularly effective; the storm becomes a character in itself, boxing the family in and amplifying their isolation. This is a world where no help is coming, and the true threat might not be the storm, but the people inside the house.
Where The Other Couple falls just short of a full five stars is in its reliance on a few genre tropes that feel expected rather than subverted. Some twists, while satisfying, don’t break new ground, and secondary character development could be stronger. That said, these are minor critiques in the context of an otherwise well-constructed and engaging story.
The Other Couple is a well-paced, high-stakes thriller that’s hard to put down. It hits all the right beats for fans of domestic suspense and isolated horror, delivering a gripping ride full of paranoia, unease, and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages deep into the night. Jack Dane knows how to turn a cozy getaway into a cold-sweat-inducing trap—and you’ll love every tense minute of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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